Breakfast inventors: It’s time for biscuit-and-gravy only drive-thrus, and pancake vending machines. (I’m still campaigning for a breakfast food truck in San Diego!)

Which reminds me, last week marked the debut of IHOP Express in the Gaslamp.

You order from the counter and get your own coffee and sodas – no servers.

(Mental note: in this age of iPad restaurant ordering and IHOP Expresses, do you still have to tip? Remember to pitch to my editor.)

IHOP Express

711 Fourth Avenue (at G Street). 619-330-5975.

This new IHOP quickie is the size of a one-bedroom, 650 square feet. Its visible open-grill cook-space has been branded the “flip kitchen,” which rockets out the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity faster than the traditional sit-down IHOPs, I’m told.

Outside the IHOP Express on Fourth Avenue in the Gaslamp.— Courtesy photo

Outside the IHOP Express on Fourth Avenue in the Gaslamp.
/ Courtesy photo

There’s a syrup bar and WiFi in this lil Express, which seats 65. And furthering the spirit of convenience there’s a Cup O’ Pancakes – buttermilk, in a cup, topped with combos like caramel sauce and apples.